4 Reasons to Drink Wine Every Day

When Paul Giamatti's character in the movie Sideways is asked why he likes Pinot so much, he describes its flavors as "the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and ancient on the planet."

If that colorful description doesn't make you want to pour yourself a glass right now, here are some other reasons to think about drinking a little wine every day.

1. It can be heart healthy.

Drinking alcoholic beverages (in moderation!) has been associated with higher levels of HDL, or good cholesterol. Wine even packs a little extra punch.

"The grape skin provides flavonoids and other antioxidant substances that protect the heart and vessels from the damaging effects of free oxygen radicals produced by our body," Dr. Prakash Deedwania, a cardiologist and professor of medicine, tells the American Heart Association.

2. Red wine may help prevent cavities.

Researchers grew cultures of bacteria that typically cause dental diseases, then dipped them in a variety of liquids. Interestingly, red wine with or without alcohol was found to be among the most effective liquids in eliminating the bacteria. So was wine with grape seed extract.

But the American Dental Association says in order to even have a chance of reaping the benefits, you might have to hold the wine in your mouth for two minutes every seven hours for seven days. Hey, it's worth a try!

3. It can help when counting calories.

Wine can fit into a low-carb diet, and one serving often contains fewer calories than a serving of beer or liquor. A four ounce pour adds up to around 100 calories, and dry white wines are usually the least fattening choice. Meanwhile, a 12 ounce can of beer can clock in at 140-200 calories, though light beers can help cut down on that. A 1.5 ounce shot of liquor can have 100 calories, with the potential for more when you add in a mixer.

4. Red wine might even have positive effects on your skin.

How about enjoying a bathtub full of wine? I'm not talking about drinking that much, but rather, sitting in it. The concept of vinotherapy got a boost on Instagram when NBA player Amar'e Stoudemire posted a photo of himself in a red wine bath, claiming it helps with his post-game recovery. Grapes, particularly their skin and seeds, also contain antioxidants called polyphenols that have potential anti-wrinkle effects. However, dermatologists say you'd have to interact with them over a long period of time -- we're talking months or years -- to be effective.

Even if you don't believe in these potential benefits, drinking wine definitely benefits your taste buds and your sense of adventure. After all, it's delicious and lets you visit beautiful tasting rooms and vineyards like the ones at Malibu Family Wines!